U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson called for an end to the "provocative rhetoric" fueling tensions in Ukraine and emphasized the readiness of the United Nations to facilitate meaningful dialogue among key parties to help ease the crisis. "While the situation in Kiev is stable, there have been disturbing reports from some parts of the country, primarily Crimea," Elisson told the Security Council late Thursday via video from Kiev, where he has been since Monday after having been dispatched by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to de-escalate the situation and assess conditions for a peaceful settlement of the crisis. Eliasson said Ukraine is "grappling with a series of fast-moving and serious challenges." In Crimea, he cited examples such as blockades of Ukrainian military bases and attempts to intimidate international envoys, including U.N. special advisor Robert Serry. The deputy U.N. chief said that in all of his meetings in the country, he had highlighted the urgent need for de-escalation and for a political solution to the country's current crisis. He also emphasized the need for unity, diversity, and inclusion in Ukraine, and the importance that all parts of the country and all segments of the population have a sense of participation in building their future. Elisasson informed the Security Council that U.N Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic had just arrived in Kiev, following a request from the secretary-general to immediately travel to Ukraine. Simonovic is set to visit the east, west, and south of the country, including Crimea, to evaluate the current human-rights situation.
